Condenser charging system



July 22, 1941.

H. KLEMPERER CONDENSER CHARGING SYSTEM Filed July 18 1940 VOLTAGE REGULATOR EGO.

\l is I Ed-Dzsmsu l CONDENSER \XTfii l 'i' T5 4 INVENTOR.

o CONTROL.

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W R E T aqm E P wQG K 5 N A H main July 22,1941 I 2,250.102

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,250,102 CONDENSER CHARGING SYSTEM Hans Klemperer, Belmont, Mara, assignor to Raytheon Manufacturing Company, Newton, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application July 18, 1940, Serial No. 346,237

. 8 Claims. (01.171-91) This invention relates to a system for char resistor H to the negative side of the condenser l. a condenser to a predetermined voltage. The The resistor i1 is of such a value as to prevent charge on such a condenser may be used for an excessive charging rate of the condenser i. any convenient purpose, such as resistance Across the condenser i is connected a poten- Welding. 5 tiometer l8 which is provided with an adjustable An object of this invention is to charge the tap 20 connected to the cathode 2i oi! a high condenser at a rapid rate and to automatically vacuum tube 22 having an anode 23 connected terminate the charging current when the desired to a conductor 24. The conductor Ii is convoltage is reached. nected to the conductor 24 through a resistance A further object is to change the charging 25. Also each of the control grids iii of the rate as the desired voltage is approached so as to rectlflers 2--'8 is connected to the conductor 24 prevent overcharging of the condenser. 7 through a relatively high resistance 26. The con- Another object is to provide means for supplytrol grid iii of the rectifier tube 1 is connected ing small implements of charge to the condenser through a relatively high resistance 21 to a tap to compensate for leakage losses therefrom. 28 on the resistance 25.

A still further object is to accomplish the fore- The tube 22 is provided with a control grid going in an accurate yet simple and reliable 29 connected through a condenser 30 to the conductor l i. The condenser 30 has impressed upon The foregoing and other objects of this invenit a constant reference voltage supplied from some tion will be best understood from the following u t e sta t v lta s As i us rat d, this constant voltage source may consist of a description of an exempliiication thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, v ta u a r 3 energized th u h leads wherein: 32 from. a source oi! alternating current; The Fig, 1 is a, diagram of a, system embodying my voltage regulator is of any suitable type which invention; maintains the voltage at its output terminals substantially constant, independent of variations Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagram of a varianon of th arrangement h w m 1; and in line voltage applledto the loads 32. The output Figs. 3 and 4 are curves showing certain oper- 0f the voltage regulator 3 pp the p y atlng characteristics of the system illustrated in winding 33 of a transformer 34 havin a s F 1 ary winding 35. One side of the secondary winding is connected to the conductor H, and

The system illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a condenser I which is to be charged t a, pre the other side is connected to the cathode 36 of a determined voltage, h charging current for rectifier tube 31 whose anode 38 is connectedthe condenser is supplied from a plurality of conthe control grid 29 which Constitutes the e air n d recflfiers z 1 These controlled rectitlve side of the condenser 30. The rectifier tube ilers may be of the gas or vapor-filled type having 31 y b of a y suitable ty Such as p a control grid to determine the initiation of the filled fi r h v a t ermionic cathode. In discharge during a period when t anode 1 order to properly load the rectifier 3'l,aresistance positive. Each of the rectlfiers 2-1 contains 39 is connected cross the condenser 30. a cathode 8 of the permanently-energized type, 40 AS Previously ta e t e y sto ed in the such as a thermionic filament, an anode 9, and condenser I m be used for y s e pura control grid in. The cathodes 8 are connected pose. a for amp a'r s s anc weldin load to a common conductor H which in turn is cons 10811 y be c n ected to the secondnected to the positive side of the condenser I. My Winding 4| f a Weldi g transformer 42 The anodes 9 are fed from a source of multiple- Having a p y Winding w c may be phase alternatin current by being connected to connected o he harged condenser I throu h a the outer ends of the phase windings of two welding control switch 44. Ahigh current recti- Y-connected secondary windings l2 of a transformer 13 having a delta-connected primary winding 43 for the purpose described and claimed winding u. The primary winding 14 is adapted in the cope di app o of o W- D ws n, to be energized from a three-phase alternating Serial No. 309,124, filed December 14, 1939.

n of the system illustrated in current line. The neutral points of the two 'sec- The operat'lo ondary windings l2 are connected together Fig. 1 may be more readily understood by rethrough an interphase reactor l5 having a center ferring to the curves of Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 3 tap l6 connected through a current-limiting E represents the voltage applied to any one of fier tube 45 may be connected across the primary the anodes 0 represents the grid characterslightly, there would be a tendency for the charge istic curve of the associated controlled rectiiler on said condenser to overshoot the value Ed, intube. If the voltage on the associated grid rises troducing undesirable results into the operation above 0, the tube ilres, while if thegrid voltage of the system.

is below the curve C, the tube remains in a 5 Any time after the condenser I has been non-conducting condition. In Fig. 4 the curve charged to its final value, the switch 44 is closed,

EC represents the voltage across the condenser I, discharging the energy of said condenser into the while the dotted line Ed represents the desired 7 resistance welding load 40. When said condenser voltage to which the condenser is to be charged. I has been substantially discharged, the operation When the systemisenergized initially, the con- 10 of the system automatically restarts to again denser I has no charge upon it, so that the grids charge the condenser I at the rapid rate indi- II are substantially at cathode potential, and cated by the curve Ec between zero and Ti. therefore the tubes 2-? start conducting current By adjusting the tap 20, the final value to substantially whenever the anodes 9 become posiwhich the condenser I is charged can be selected tive. Under these conditionsamaximum amount at will. Also if the voltage regulator II is adof charging current is supplied to the condenser Justable, said regulator can be adjusted to select I, and said condenser charges rapidly, as indithe-value of voltage to which the condenser I is cated by the curve EC between zero and T1 in charged. Fig. 4. During this time the voltage on the cath- The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 illustrates one ode ii of the tube 22 becomes more and more generalized type of voltage regulator. However, negative. The characteristics of the tube 22 are other types of constant reference voltage sources such that the. voltage on the grid 2! prevents any may be utilized. For example, in Fig. 2 there is appreciable flow of current through said tube unillustrated a fragmentary part of the system til the voltage across the condenser I has almost shown in Fig. 1, with a diflerent type of stabilized risen o he desired 1 h mo wh n 25 voltage source applied to the condenser III. In the tube 22 does start conducting current, the Fig. 2 the same reference numerals are applied characteristics thereof are relatively sharp so where the elements are identical with those shown that a substantial amount of current flows. in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 a suitable source of direct Thus, at the time T1, the tube 22 starts to concurrent, such as a battery 48, is connected duct current, causing a substantial voltage drop through a resistance 41 across a glow discharge to appear across the resistance 25. This voltage, regulator tube 48. This tube has the characteris- Which y e ep s ted by h ot ed l ne a tic of maintaining constant voltage across its terin Fig. 3, is impressed upon the control grids I0 minals for all values of discharge current through of tubes 2I, so that these t bes s p conducting it within predetermined limits. Thus upon the current, resulting in a considerably diminished application of the voltage of the battery 46 thereflow Of ch g current to the condenser I. The to, a definite stabilized voltage appears across the control grid III of tube 1, however, does not have terminals of the glow tube 48, and this stabilized impressed p i e ull Voltage appearing voltage is impressed across the condenser I0. ac oss he r i e ut only a portion there- The operation of the variation illustrated In Fig. s d ine by the setting of he tap 40 2 is identical with that described above in con- Therefore, when the voltage E6. on the grids III oti n with Fig. 1. of the tubes 2-8 is sui'licient to extinguish said Of course it is to be understood that this intubes, a 188881 Va u 0! V l e EGa, illustrated vention is not limited to the particular details deby the l- P8 o ted l n in a s impressed scribed above as many equivalents will suggest upon the control grid I II of tube I, and therefore themselves to those skilled in the art. It is acsaid tube continues to conduct current after the cordlngly desired that the appended claims be tubes 2- have been extinguished. After the given a broad interpretation commensurate with time Ti. therefore. only the u e 1 upplies chargthe scope of this invention withinthis art.

ing current to the condenser I, and the voltage What is claimed is:

Es on said condenser approaches the final desired 1. In combination, a condenser, a source of value Ed at a diminished rate between the times charging current for charging said condenser, a T1 and T2. During this period the voltage across stabilized reference voltage source, and means the resistance 25 is increased, and likewise the responsive to the ratio between the voltage on negative bias on the control grid I0 of tube 1 is said condenser and said reference voltage for in r d. so'that at the time T2. the control grid cutting oi! the supply of charging current to said Of tube 7 is S mvi n iy negative so as to extincondenser when said ratio reaches a predeterguish said tube, terminating all flow of charging mined value.

currenttothe condenser. 2. In combination, a condenser, rectifying Usually the condenser I has some leakage so means adapted to be energized from a source of that after the time T2, the voltage Ec gradually alternating current for supplying charging curdecreases. This decrease in voltage is accomrent to said condenser, said rectifying means panied by a corresponding decrease in the voltcomprising a rectifying space discharge tube age across resistance 25, and thus on the control through which the discharge is controlled by a grid II of tube I. At a. time T1, the voltage O control electrode, a stabilized reference voltage said control grid falls to asuilicient value so that source, and means responsive t t ratio b he tu 7 again Starts to Conduct n bringtween the voltage on said condenser and said ing the charge on the condenser I back to the reference voltage for supplying a. dischargevalue Ed at a time T4. It will be noted that in blocking potential to said control electrode t this operation the voltage on the grids ll of cut fi the supply 0f charging m t m tubes 2-! always remain substantially Greater condenser when said ratio reaches a predeterthan that on the grid III of tube I, and thus these mined va1ue tubes remain extinguished despite the leakage of 3. In combination, a condenser, rectifying charge from the condenser I. If all of the tubes means adapted to be energized from a some 2-4 were permitted to comfl nto Op at n w of alternating current for supplying charging the voltage across the condenser I decreased current to said condenser, said rectifying means through which the discharge is controlled by a comprising a rectifying space discharge tube through which the discharge is controlled by a control electrode, a continuous control type tube having a pair of electrodes upon which a voltage proportional to the voltage across said condenser is impressed and a control electrode for controlling the discharge between said pair of electrodes, means for impressing a referencevoltage on the last-named control electrode, and means responsive to the current flowing through said last-named tube for impressing a dischargeinhibiting voltage on the first-named control electrode, said last-named tube being adapted to conduct a suificient amount of current to cause a substantial current to flow through it when the voltage across said condenser has risen to a predetermined value.

4. In combination, a condenser, rectifying means adapted to be energized from a value of alternating current for supplying charging current to said condenser, said rectifying means comprising a gas or vapor-filled rectifying space discharge tube through which the discharge is controlled by a control electrode, a continuous control type tube having a pair of electrodes upon which a voltage proportional to the voltage across said condenser is impressed and a control electrode for controlling the discharge between said pair of electrodes, means for impressing a ref-: erence voltage on the'last-named control electrode, and means responsive to the current flowing through said last-named tube for impressing a discharge-inhibiting voltage on the first-named control electrode, said last-named tube being adapted to conduct a sufiicient amount of current to cause a substantial current to flow through it when the voltage across said condenser has risen to a predetermined value.

5. In combination, a condenser, rectifying means adapted to be energized from a source of alternating current for supplying charging current to said condenser, said rectifying means comprising a rectifying space discharge tube control electrode, a continuous control type tube having a pair of electrodes upon which a voltage proportional to the voltage across said condenser is impressed and a control electrode for controlling the' discharge between said pair of electrodes, means for impressing a stabilized reference voltage on the last-named control electrode, and means responsive to the current flowing through said last-named tube for impressing a dischargeinhibiting voltage on the first-named control electrode, said last-named tube being adapted to conduct a suflicient amount of current to cause a substantial current to flow through it when the voltage across said condenser has risen to a predetermined value.

6. In combination, a condenser, a source of charging current for charging said condenser comprising a plurality of' rectifiers energized from a plurality of alternating current phases, and means responsive to predetermined voltages on said condenser for successively deenergizing said rectifiers.

7. In combination, a condenser, a source of charging current for charging said condenser comprising a plurality of rectifiers energized from a plurality of alternating current phases, means responsive to a predetermined voltage on said condenser for deenergizing at least one of said rectifiers, and means responsive to a higher predetermined voltage for deenergizing at least one additional rectifier. 1

8. In combination, a condenser, a source of charging current for charging said condenser HANS KLEMPERER. 

